U.S. President Donald Trump has again denied any collusion with the Krelim. During a joint news conference with Colombia’s President – Trump told reporters the Russian investigation is dividing the country. Meanwhile, the man at the center of the controversy – fired National Security Advisor Michael Flynn has not yet indicated whether he would honor a Senate subpoena.

CGTN’s Jessica Stone filed this report.

Trump denies collusion with Kremlin during campaign

U.S. President Donald Trump has again denied any collusion with the Krelim. During a joint news conference with Colombia’s President – Trump told reporters the Russian investigation is dividing the country. Meanwhile, the man at the center of the controversy – fired National Security Advisor Michael Flynn has not yet indicated whether he would honor a Senate subpoena. CGTN’s Jessica Stone filed this report.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday, that appointing a special counsel to investigate possible ties between his campaign and the Kremlin is dividing the country.

“I respect the move, but the entire thing is a witch hunt and there is no collusion between certainly myself and my campaign but I can always speak for myself and for the Russians zero,” Trump said

The U.S. Department of Justice appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller, Wednesday, to lead the Trump-Russia probe. The move came after growing calls from lawmakers for an independent investigation.

“The action shows the urgency of investigating Trump-Russia possible collusion and interference in our election. It also recognizes the gravity of the president’s abuse of power in trying to shut down the FBI’s investigations,” said Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader.

Earlier this week, the New York Times quoted from notes written by Trump’s former FBI director James Comey, claiming Trump, in a meeting, had asked him to back off investigating Russia connections to his former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn. Trump, who fired Comey last week, says that didn’t happen.

Trump had previously said in a TV interview that he had the Russia probe on his mind when he fired Comey. But Thursday, he connected his decision to a recommendation written by his deputy attorney general.

Lawmakers briefed in a closed-door meeting by that deputy attorney general, say the memo didn’t make the case. President Trump had already made up his mind.

Now, as Trump prepares to leave on his first foreign trip as president, he is aware the Russia probe is distracting from his presidential agenda. There are now multiple reports that Trump has been urged to hire an outside attorney to help him handle the controversy.

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